25 Oggu Katha Artists Honoured at UoH for Preserving Folk Art
The event saw the screening of ‘Gods in the Voice’, described as the first documentary film in English on Oggu Katha.
Hyderabad:Twenty-five Oggu Katha artists from across the state were honoured at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) on Monday, recognising their contribution to preserving and carrying forward the state’s traditional folk storytelling art. The Oggu Katha Universe 2025 Honours brought together people from academia, cinema, media and cultural fields. The programme saw speakers stressing the need to recognise folk artists and preserve the tradition for future generations.
Former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu sent a letter for the programme, congratulating the initiative and the selected artists. He stressed the importance of protecting India’s folk traditions and passing on the knowledge associated with them and conveyed his greetings to Prof. Joly Puthussery and Dr G. Kumara Swamy, who were associated with the initiative.
The event saw the screening of ‘Gods in the Voice’, described as the first documentary film in English on Oggu Katha. The film was appreciated for documenting the artistic richness and cultural importance of the tradition. Guests congratulated Dr Kumara Swamy and his team for taking Oggu Katha to a wider audience through documentary filmmaking.
The programme also featured Telangana folk songs presented by Telangana Samskruthika Sarathi artists. Before the main event, a Bathukamma workshop was conducted, with more than 30 students taking part. PhD scholars Vasumathi, Tejaswini, Srinika, Rajitha, Kavitha and Supraja were involved in the workshop.
The event brought together Oggu Katha artists, academics, researchers, students, media professionals and cultural practitioners. Prof Venkata Ramana, Mechineni Srinivasa Rao, actor Balagam Sudhakar Reddy, Dr Jyothi Reddy Dudipala, Dr Ravula Krishna, Prof Joly Puthussery, actor Vijay Yadav, selection committee head Singarapu Raj Kumar and writer-poet Praveen Machavaram were among those present. Sumanth Pendem, a PhD scholar, and one of the organisers, thanked Mechineni Srinivasa Rao Trust and Telangana Yadava Corporation chairman Raghunath Yadav for their support.
